Pakatan Rakyat partners should not question PAS’ commitment within the coalition, and respect the differences of opinion, says Selangor PAS information chief Zaidy Abdul Taib.

He said tolerance and togetherness is a virtue which can strengthen Pakatan and safeguard the people’s welfare.

Zaidy ( left ), who is also Taman Templer assemblyperson, said the way PAS tried to resolve the present Selangor imbroglio is a manifestation of its high degree of tolerance in strengthening Pakatan.

“The crisis have given us a valuable lesson in charting our relations within Pakatan, so there is more direction towards strengthening Pakatan, and there would be greater harmony and rationality when decisions are made.

“Hence, PAS would like to advise the Pakatan leadership to respect PAS and other Pakatan partners in having differences of opinion in order to have an agreement leading to a decision which is to be made,” he said.

Zaidy, in a posting on the PAS blog, said actions where Pakatan partners are seen as pressuring the Islamist party, admonishing and questioning the party’s commitment, should be avoided, whereas PAS had proven its friendship in supporting and strengthening Pakatan.

“We should reduce tension and work on unity rather than pointing fingers and faulting or questioning PAS’ loyalty in Pakatan, and questioning it in the open,” he said.

He described PAS’ and Pakatan’s actions had resulted in Umno and BN not being able to take full advantage of it and return dejected at not seeing Pakatan being split.

Hence, the assemblyperson said PAS Selangor is urging that efforts should now be focused on rendering service to the people and avoiding too much politicking as the citizens are getting fed-up with the political problem as if it has no end.

Zuhdi criticises PAS

In a related development, PAS research operations director head Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki was quoted in Utusan Malaysia as criticising the party’s actions in not being able to curb PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s interests rather than the overall interests of Pakatan.

He noted that there are no leaders in Pakatan who dare to advise or go against Anwar’s political whims, where the opposition leader is seen as fronting his own or PKR’s interests.

“The opposition leaders should think about how they can use politics for the benefit of the people and country,” he said.

PAS central committee member Nik Abduh Nik Aziz ( right ) said the Selangor political crisis is far from over, despite Pakatan having reached a consensus.

He said this is because besides seeking incumbent MB Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to resign, there are other choices including dissolving the state assembly.

Nik Abduh, who is also Pasir Mas MP, sees that Khalid may not give an easy path to relinquish his post.

“I think this political ‘kurang asam’ game has yet to reach its peak,” he was quoted as saying in Utusan Malaysia.

Action on two to be taken later

PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali said it is postponing action to be taken against two of its assemblypersons who openly voiced support for PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to replace Khalid.

Mustafa ( left ) was quoted in Sinar Harian as saying that the party had just received a report over Hulu Klang representative Saari Sungib’s and Morib assemblyperson Hasnul Baharuddin’s actions from Selangor PAS.

“Yes, we have received the report but will wait until the Selangor political crisis is over,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

Saari and Hasnul had on Aug 14 declared their support for Wan Azizah on Aug 14 to replace Khalid, despite a gag order on party members and the party’s central committee meeting having yet to hold its meeting.

Selangor crisis today

11am: Selangor PAS deputy commissioner Siti Mariah Mahmud call for the MB Khalid Ibrahim-bashing to stop.

11.34pm: The Registrar of Societies issues a notice summoning PKR on Khalid's sacking from the party.

12pm: A coalition of NGOs says it will defend Khalid 'from the streets to the palace', so he can complete his second term.

12.57pm: Selangor PAS calls on its partners not to question PAS' commitment to Pakatan Rakyat.

1.45pm: PKR denounces circulation of a fake 'Kajang Move' document, alleging PKR’s plans to siphon Selangor funds.

2.23pm: PAS exco member Halimah Ali admits that the main problem with Khalid is that he is tightfisted with state funds .

2.26pm: PAS leader Hanipa Maidin says it is 'nonsensical' to dissolve the state assembly as Dr Wan Azizah Ismail already has majority support.

4.56pm: MB's special officer Azrul Azwar Tajuddin lodges report on the 'fake' Kajang Move document.

5.20pm: State government sources say the sultan is expected to return to Malaysia on Aug 23, earlier than anticipated.